The Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant program is a key action under focus area one of Paving the Way – the First Nations Training Strategy. Paving the Way is the Queensland Government’s plan to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ skills development and respond to local and community employment needs.

Up to $4 million is available under the Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant program until 30 June 2024 to fund Indigenous designed and led projects that support or respond to local training and workforce needs.

The Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant program recognises that skills and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be more successful when solutions are designed and developed locally and supported by the community.

The program aims to create training and employment pathways for up to 800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to increase their likelihood of greater economic and social participation.

Applicant organisations must be able to demonstrate they have a strong local presence, including well-established community and employer relationships. Partnership arrangements between eligible organisations are strongly encouraged as there may be benefits by connecting and collaborating to generate effective solutions.